Abstract

PIP: Impact of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in the district Rae Bareli of Uttar Pradesh was studied by assessing changes in feeding practices, growth and development, prevalence of malnutrition, and utilization of health care services using a suitable control population from a non-ICDS area. Breastfeeding was almost universal and there was no significant difference in breastfeeding patterns. In the study area, 55.3% of the children were weaned between 6-12 months while the majority (53.1%) in the control group were weaned at ages 12-18 months (P0.001). Weight for age was significantly higher in ICDS group males (age 6 months-3 years) and female children (2-4 years). Milestones of development were comparatively delayed in the non-ICDS group. Prevalence rate for severe degrees of PEM (grades III and IV) was 3.2/100 in the ICDS group and 14.8/100 in the control group (P0.001). Immunization status of children in the study group, though much higher than in the control group, was not up to the desired level. Mothers of 61.3% of the children in the ICDS group and only 19.9% of the control group availed themselves of antenatal care services (P0.001). Domiciliary delivery was almost universal (96.3 and 97.4%) but utilization of services of trained dai of ANM was significantly more in the ECDS group (P0.001). Only 14% of the children in the ICDS group were benefitted by the supplementary nutrition services, whereas the utilization of primary healthcare facilities was greater in the ICDS group (P0.001).